Bioethics Intensive Course, 2003 Ethics: Missing Link in the Quest for Health Equity

Introduction

In 2003 the Wellcome Trust bioethics Programme funded us to carryout an intensive course in Bioethics in Sri Lanka.

The first intensive bioethics course  was held over 3-weekends (7 days) within 3 months; 14^th-15^th August, 13^th-14^th of September and 24^th-26^th of October 2003. It was organized in collaboration with the WHO non-communicable disease initiative and human genetics programme, Kings College, University of London and Centre for the study of human Rights, University of Colombo. The course was very popular, attracting competitive applications from 150 people for 30 vacancies. Therefore, upon completion, this bioethics course reached 50 professionals from 6 Universities and other academic institutions.

Public Engagement

The inauguration of the initiative was held as a public seminar in keeping with our aim of public engagement and dialogue. The programme was evaluated and endorsed by WHO Human Genetics Programme of the NCD section and a representative from the WHO participated for the inauguration.

International Collaboration

Thorough this initiative we consolidated our collaborative links with;

South African Research Ethics Training Initiative (SARETI)

International Research Ethics Network for Southern Africa (IRENSA)

International Programme for Ethics, Public Health and Human Rights (IPEPH)

Pakistan Bioethics Training Initiative

Joint Centre for Bioethics in Canada

Policy Ethics and Life Science Research Institute (PEALS) Centre for Life Newcastle

Durham Institute of Comparative Ethics, Department of Anthropology, University of Durham

Centre for the Study of Human Rights, University of Colombo

The World Health Organization

Resource Persons

Participation

Initially 30 participants were expect, however, 135 academics across various disciplines applied. They were an impressive group from diverse background, comprised of medical and non-medical academics, lawyers, journalists, nurses, and ethics committee members.

As a result of this unexpected demand, the number of places were increased from 30 to 50 participants.

The composition was as follows:

1. Members of the existing ethics review bodies: There were participants from 7 out of the existing 8 ethical review bodies at Universities/academic institutions, including the Chair of the ethics committee at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Secretary of the of the ethics committee at University of Peradeniya, founding Secretary of the ethics committee of the Sri Lanka Medical Association.
2. Academics: 15 University academics, another 5 from other academic and research institutions, 15 were from clinical background but some were actively involved in research. 2 were nurses. Then Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Galle, Professor of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences University of Sri Jayewardenepura who was later appointed Vice-Chancellor attended some of the sessions attended some of the sessions.
3. Non-medical background: There were 7 lawyers, 3 senior journalists, 3 from community-based organisations (non governmental).

Attendance

Attendance was very satisfactory as 42 of the 50 participants (94%) had good attendance and only 5 (6%) dropped out. 3 people attended only 14% of the training and dropped out after and 3 of them were from Media. This suggested to us that they need a separate course from others.